Magnolia 'lucky Red' Standard

[julia-mag]

Has anyone grown these? I bought 2 bare root plants month ago and put them into pots, one is just a straight stick 3ft high with 'something' growing from top section, I would love to know how I can tell if this is going to be a flower or a leaf. I know time will tell, but I would be very surprised of a magnolia bloomed so soon after buying. My daughters magnolia did not bloom even after 6 years, all she got was leaves. Am I tempting fate by trying again? Hope not. 2nd bare root has 4/5 branches and only looks like it might grow on just one of the twigs, others look too dry.

[Chipchopper]

I'm not familiar with the variety of magnolia which you have but I think its possible to tell the difference from a leaf or flower bud (if deciduous) by the size of the buds.
In my experience, the flower buds are usually on the ends of the twigs, bigger and more velvety. Leaf buds much smaller and lower down the twig with more of a crescent shape to it.

[julia-mag]

Thank you chipchopper, I havbe just been out to look, very slow to change! the one that I hope might be flower is much bigger than the one either side of it but they all look the same colour, so I think they must all be leaves although it is at the top of the plant, (just below where it has been pruned). Oh well,..